Ruth Stevens Fondse

Ruth Stevens Fondse, age 101, peacefully departed this life to be with the Lord on April 16, 2025 at Pine Haven Christian Communities in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. She was born on July 25, 1923, in French Camp, California, to Peter and Ettje (Beuving) Stevens. On March 8, 1945, she married John Fondse. Together they farmed the family dairy until he answered his childhood call to the ministry and the family moved to Michigan so he could attend Calvin College and Seminary. John graduated in 1958 and was ordained in the Christian Reformed Church. He served as pastor for churches in Denver, Colorado; Manhattan, Montana; Mount Vernon, Washington; Hull, Iowa; and Holland, Michigan. After “retirement” in 1988, he served 6-month terms at 17 Christian Reformed churches across America that were without pastors. In his final years John served as Pastor of Visitation at First Christian Reformed Church in Ripon, California. He departed this life to be with the Lord on March 2, 2005. Through all these years of service, Ruth was John’s partner in ministry: organist, pianist, secretary, bookkeeper, and making visits together. She had great joy as a full-time homemaker and mother of their three children: Sylvia, Melvin, and Margaret. In 2010, Ruth bought a home in Sheboygan to be near her daughter. In 2023, Ruth moved to Pine Haven, 3 days after her 100th birthday. Ruth felt blessed to be raised by loving parents in a Christ-centered home, and to be married to a loving Christian husband. She could see the Lord’s leading every step of the way throughout her life. To God be the Glory!

The family would like to thank the members of Christ Community Church, Sheboygan for lovingly enfolding her after her move here in 2010, especially Pastor Larry & Donna Meyer, Interim Pastor Don & Edie Ritsman, and Pastor Josh & Anne Van Engen; all the loving staff at Pine Haven Christian Communities- Giddings Avenue; the loving care provided by Aurora Hospice; and the kind staff at Ballhorn Chapels.

There will be a family graveside service for Ruth in Ripon, California.

Ballhorn Chapels is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to ReFrame Ministries, 300 E. Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Please visit their website at https://reframeministries.org/.